Game in a nutshell: The Nationals opened the second half of their season with a bang, pouncing on Marlins ace Josh Johnson for five runs and handing the ball to Jordan Zimmermann to mow his way through the Miami lineup. Big hits came from Ryan Zimmerman (who went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer), Adam LaRoche (3-for-4, two runs scored) and Ian Desmond (2-for-4, RBI). Zimmermann had a shutout going through six innings but was surprisingly pulled by manager Davey Johnson in favor of Henry Rodriguez, who struggled again to find the strike zone and was yanked after four batters. No worries, though, because the rest of the Nationals bullpen hung on to close this one out and start the pennant race off in style.

Hitting highlight: How nice was the four-day All-Star break for the ailing members of the Nationals' lineup? Apparently very nice, becauseRead more »

Sitting at the top of section 8/9 next to the camera set up waiting for Flo Rida. Fish fans are pretty fed up with everything Marlins, especially Hanley and Jose. And don't even mention Ozzie to amybody with Cuban heritage.

It was a curious move, to say the least, one Johnson is going to have to explain.My brother Phil with a good point in the postgame show. Jordan Zimmermann should probably be on an innings limit himself this year of around 190. If his season ended in September, that wouldn't be an issue. But this team hopes to be playing games in October. Davey may well be saving innings now for Jordan that he can use in October.

Giolito plus a win. Progress is a go! Nice job to all, and Mike Rizzo succeeded in signing all of his top 10 picks again. Lost one at #15 and then the future top picks at #'s 25, 26, and 27 but a job well done indeed!Harper, Desmond, and Espy still pushing the envelope with their speed. Zim completely on track (but for how long?). Still need Morse to come around. But, there's Tyler Moore. LaRoche keeps making it harder to move him off of first base … and Flores has a big day at the plate.

My brother Phil with a good point in the postgame show. Jordan Zimmermann should probably be on an innings limit himself this year of around 190.He'd be right with any other pitcher perhaps .. but JZimmnn is a bull, a veritable horse … he can do 200. That said … Davey is seeing what I am seeing. This second half is going to be all about Jordan Zimmermann. He is going to pick up the baton and become the ace of the 2nd half. Davey is preserving this resource as best as he can.

If we are having this much fun, what do you think the guys are feeling? A memorable season is happening right in front of our Nats loving eyes! And speaking of eyes, how fun to hear from the Carmen Miranda Memorial Stadium….thanks guys!Tomorrow…Gio beats Mark. Expect it.

I'm starting to feel like we are preserving all these young arms now, so they'll be strong into their 30's…when they'll be pitching for the Yankees..I'm all for being conservative with Stras, that's the medical advice they've been givenBut let the other studs pitch

Was it Johnson that stumbled on the infield "sand" while trying to field? That is also unacceptable in MLB. I mean, we'll take it, and it's not like the Nats didn't stumble in the new Park, but get the basics, Fish, get the basics.

You're right Nats212, an over-reaction on my part…but I really disliked that move tonight, Jordan deserved a shot to throw a shutout tonight, and to get the attention/credit on SportsCenter, etc..Not a big deal, but he's been overlooked for too long

I'm all for being conservative with Stras, that's the medical advice they've been givenBut let the other studs pitchIf they end up going deep into October that could be 220-230 innings for the starters. Not an issue for Gio and EJax since they've got multiple complete seasons under their belts. But could be bad for a pitcher like JZimm who's only had one season of even 160 IP. Makes sense to limit his innings now wherever possible and save them for later.

Out of town with no computer, no MLB network, in Philly territory. Thanks for all the in game stuff as all I have is my phone and dwindling data. 3 more days- help me hang on! I did see Bryce highlights on the 4 letter channel. I swear he is the only Nat they know. It was pretty cool, though . Tough on me to miss a JZim start.Gogol Nats!!!!!!

Folks, per Davey's postgame interview, he pulled Jordan early only because Jordan had only played catch over the all-star break and didn't want him to go too long the first game back. Apparently Jordan was not doing his normal between starts routine. He said he also wanted to knock some rust off the bull pen also.

I'm starting to feel like we are preserving all these young arms now, so they'll be strong into their 30's…when they'll be pitching for the Yankees.Perhaps, but last time I looked the Lerners had a lot more money than the Yankee owners. And they now appear to be doing things the right way relative to signing draft picks, and with the over-slot signings the past two or so years under Rizzo. Baseball players notice things like that. Especially young players.

Watched the game on MASN. It might just be me, but I HATE the way Johnny Holiday calls games early, chalking up the win for the Nats by the seventh inning and calling the end to some Marlins hit streak in the 8th. It seems to be tempting the baseball gods to be doing that.

WOW, Donald I agree. In the 3rd FP said if nats win they will keep these road helmets. Theres 21 outs left. I also don't think Johhny Hol knows fouling off the 3rd strike while bunting is an out. UGHHH

Donald…100% agree! That comment about the hit streak was a disgrace..he did the same thing a few years ago in SF when Zim had a hitting streak, saying the streak was over in the 8th after he was retired…SO DUMB..and the 3rd strike on the bunt? crazy..BUT I dont' blame Johnny..he is clearly ol and out of it..shame on MASN for putting him on the air..if Carp (not a fan but at least he's cognizent of the rules) is out get someone else in there..PLEASE

Nice win against the Fish – let's have another one! Missed the middle innings because of cat-sitting duties. May try to watch those at some point today. My fave part was when Zimm hit the Carmen Miranda Memorial Home Run thingy. That was awesome, and, having just read the game post (but not yet comments), also loved Mark's line about the teddy bear. Got back home and turned on the tv just in time to see the replay of the LaRoche/Desi footrace. Whew. Fish for dinner? Sounds good to me.

I think the baseball gods will cut Johnny some slack; he means well, and that makes a difference. And if he lost track of the count on the Znn bunt, well, no harm done. He's not annoyingly wrong in the same way as, say, McCarver, who absolutely should know how a catcher's mitt is measured, but botched it Tuesday night when they showed Chooch's mitt for catching Dickey. But maybe that's just me.